# Hawaii won't let Uber gouge customers
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [June 7, 2018, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592 "2018-06-07T03:18:57Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/1 "2018-06-07T03:18:57Z")
[Hooray, I say.](https://apnews.com/3203ea475ebf4c268027fe89c74b4f15/Honolulu-leaders-approve-1st-ride-hailing-price-cap-in-US)I’m not a fan of any company who’s business plan is based on outright exploitation and fraud, and so I welcome this news.
> [@](#):
>
> Honolulu leaders approved a measure Wednesday to limit prices that ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft can charge during peak demand, a cap that the companies say would be the first restriction of its kind in the United States.
>
> The measure would prevent “surge pricing” if increased rates are higher than the maximum fare set by the city. Honolulu attorneys will review the measure before it goes to Mayor Kirk Caldwell, who would have 10 days to sign it into law, allow it to become law without his signature or veto it.
>
> Uber sent emails to customers across the island of Oahu, which is where the rule would apply, urging them to oppose the rules that would impose “outdated taxi-style requirements on rideshare.”
There is no such thing as “ridesharing” (you’re a taxi/livery service); it doesn’t exist any more than “foodsharing” (that’s a restaurant).
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### Author:  [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/2 "2018-06-07T03:25:33Z")
I can’t see how this law will get any additional Uber drivers out on the streets. I can see how it will get fewer out on the streets, so it will mean longer waits instead of higher prices when there would be “surge demand”
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### Author:  [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/3 "2018-06-07T11:57:53Z")
I think they should also limit hotel & accommodation prices - it’s criminal what some places get away with charging at peak times. And airline fares to get to Hawaii - it’s scandalous how much the cost of seats vary _on the same plane_.
Price controls - what could possibly go wrong?
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### Author:  [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/4 "2018-06-07T12:00:34Z")
Hooray for waiting!
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### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/5 "2018-06-07T12:19:51Z")
Yeah, it’s always a win when free market dies.,
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### Author:  [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/6 "2018-06-07T13:42:13Z")
> [@Grrr](#):
>
> Yeah, it’s always a win when free market dies.,
It’s okay for the Government to set rules for businesses.
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### Author:  [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/7 "2018-06-07T14:02:59Z")
Do you know that the average house price in San Francisco is more than 6 times the average house price in Boise? It’s gouging! How dare those bastards ask for more money just because there’s a higher demand? I look forward to the day when government regulation makes everything I want affordable for me.
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/8 "2018-06-07T14:06:20Z")
> [@Grrr](#):
>
> Yeah, it’s always a win when free market dies.,
Outside of Libertopia, the free market isn’t always perfect. Sometimes it doesn’t work and things improve when the government steps in and regulates business.
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### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/9 "2018-06-07T15:04:02Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> Outside of Libertopia, the free market isn’t always perfect. Sometimes it doesn’t work and things improve when the government steps in and regulates business.
I agree. But when both customer and business are happy with the arrangement, there is no need for government to step in and “save” them.
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### Author:  [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/10 "2018-06-07T15:25:43Z")
How is Uber’s business plan “based on outright exploitation and fraud”?
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### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/11 "2018-06-07T15:33:22Z")
If you don’t like the surge pricing, then take a taxi by all means! Isn’t this _bad_ for taxi cab companies? It eliminates the price advantage they have during surges (which is about the only reason I’d take a cab these days, anyway. But I think I’d still rather pay the surge pricing.)
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### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/12 "2018-06-07T15:37:51Z")
I also don’t understand how it’s “price gouging.” If Uber were a monopoly, or otherwise had no competition (or no meaningful competition), then, sure, I could buy that argument and perhaps support or at least consider regulation in this regard. But it’s not! I mean, that’s as dumb as telling a store they can’t sell milk for $6/gallon when there’s an equally accessible store across the street that sells it for $3/gallon. Just go to the other store.
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/13 "2018-06-07T15:38:16Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#):
>
> How is Uber’s business plan “based on outright exploitation and fraud”?
Uber is acting as a de facto taxi business while avoiding the regulations that apply to taxi business by claiming it’s just a “ride sharing” service.
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/14 "2018-06-07T15:47:00Z")
> [@Grrr](#):
>
> I agree. But when both customer and business are happy with the arrangement, there is no need for government to step in and “save” them.
What about everyone else who’s not directly involved in the transaction but has to deal with some of the consequences?
New York City has always set a limit on the number of taxis that can work in the city. This is to keep traffic from getting too congested. Uber is now functioning as an unregulated taxi service and it’s creating a significant negative effect on traffic. Streets are more crowded and driving times have increased.
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### Author:  [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/15 "2018-06-07T15:54:05Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> What about everyone else who’s not directly involved in the transaction but has to deal with some of the consequences?
>
> New York City has always set a limit on the number of taxis that can work in the city. This is to keep traffic from getting too congested. Uber is now functioning as an unregulated taxi service and it’s creating a significant negative effect on traffic. Streets are more crowded and driving times have increased.
Not the best example. NYC has been swarmed with gypsy cabs for years.
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### Author:  [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/16 "2018-06-07T15:58:23Z")
Sure there’s such a thing as ‘ridesharing’. It’s when someone goes ‘Hey, I’m going to X, anyone else want a lift, just chip in for fuel/split the taxi fare!’ Yeah, not what Uber does, but I wouldn’t want to discourage the real thing, it reduces car numbers on the road (unlike Uber), and yes there are actual ride sharing websites where you can arrange such things with strangers, where the rules state you can’t charge more than a share of the required fuel.
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### Author:  [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/17 "2018-06-07T16:06:14Z")
Obviously some people in this thread aren’t aware of the details of Uber surge pricing. We’re not talking a 50% fee, we’re talking in some cases raising the price by 3x or more. They went to x9.9 on New Years Eve in NYC in 2016 and I’m sure you could find other stories about that sort of thing.
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### Author:  [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/18 "2018-06-07T16:08:32Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> Uber is acting as a de facto taxi business while avoiding the regulations that apply to taxi business by claiming it’s just a “ride sharing” service.
Much like if a “food sharing” business really did start up, which was actually just individuals paying other individuals to make them dinner. No health department inspections, no parking spaces for customers, no mandatory training, no liquor licences, on and on.
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### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/19 "2018-06-07T16:14:55Z")
> [@DavidwithanR](#):
>
> Much like if a “food sharing” business really did start up, which was actually just individuals paying other individuals to make them dinner. No health department inspections, no parking spaces for customers, no mandatory training, no liquor licences, on and on.
Better not go to your buddy’s house and have dinner then. Unless of course his kitchen has been inspected by the health department. And stay away from them cookies at the bake sale too.
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### Author:  [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-wont-let-uber-gouge-customers/815592/20 "2018-06-07T16:24:07Z")
The whole point of surge pricing is to entice more drivers to go out and pick up people from a popular area. Without it you would have, as others have pointed out, much longer waits for a pick up. This is silly.
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